Machine for bundling tubular articles and the like



Oct. 23, 1945. l. B. GRUBER ErAL 2,387,558

MACHINE Fon BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 J n m E n WE@ M I l im n n m? es m ww \N l w .l l Q m-1 /mmr Q M 57. ulklif Q QL m. Lw.: fn k NN N Q. D Q n R n Nw Q Q mw Nm www Q @M @Y Q Q s Q Q Q NQ ,/M

Oct. 23, 1945.

l. B. GRUBER El' AL MACHINE FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 yH/a @7 y l/ Fllljma INVENToRS.' JWM/6 66055@ d W/MQ gf/Waffen Oct. 23, 1945.

MACHINE FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 m.. w. E

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Oct. 23, 1945. B. @RUBI-:R Erm.

MACHINE FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 23, 1945. L B. GRUBER ErAL MACHINE FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS.'

Oct. 23, 1945. B. GRUBER ETAL 2387,658

MACHINE FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 9, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTORS.' few/v6 @S2/@5e my Patented Oct. 23, 1945 s PATENT OFFICE MACHINE 'FOR BUNDLING TUBULAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Irving B. Gruber and William L. Zcmberry, Pittsbui-gh, Pa., assilnors to National Tube Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 9, 1943, Serial No. 494,127

('Ci. 1GO- 31) l Claims.

This invention relates to a machine or appa ratus for bundling tubular articles and the like, and particularly, to an improved apparatus or machine for wrapping tying wires around a plurality of tubular articles, such as pipe for bundling the same.

Heretoiore, pipe and similar articles were usually prepared for shipment by wrapping manually a wire around a plurality of pipes or articles at a point adjacent each end and near the middle thereof so as to form a bundle thereof. The free ends of the tying wire were then twisted together by means of a tool such as a pair of pliers. Such procedure was not only tedious but consumed a considerable amount of time and involved much expense. It is to a machine or apparatus for wrapping and tying tubular articles, such as pipe and similar articles, together so as to form a bundle thereof that the present invention relates.

Accordingly, it is the general oblect of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus or machine for bundling tubular articles and the like wherein the tying wire is automati cally wrapped around the tubular articles and the ends of the tying wire are twisted together so as to tie securely the tubular articles together into a bundle.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved machine or apparatus for bundling tubular articles and the like wherein a plurality of spaced apart tying wires are wrapped simultaneously around the tubular articles at spaced apart intervals throughout the length thereof with the free ends of each of the wires simultaneously twisted together to form a compiet/ed bundle.

It is a further object of our invention to provide an improved machine or apparatus for bunl dling tubular articles and the like wherein the feeding of the tying wire into the machine, the wrapping of the wire around the tubular articles, the twisting of the ends of the wire together, and the severing of the wrapped portion of the wire around the articles from the source of supply of the wire, are all done automatically.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved machine or apparatus for applying tying wires'to tubular articles and the like which is simple and inexpensive in its construction, and at the same time, eilicient and effective in its use.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification and will be particulurly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which our invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of the improved bundling machine of our invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of our improved bundling machine:

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the initial position of the twisting mechanism oi' our machine incorporated with the rotatable head;

Figure 6 is a View showing the twisting mechanism as shown in Figure 5 more in detail;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the rotatable twisting member of the twisting mechanism as shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure 5 showing the twisting and tying wire feeding mechanisms;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the twisting mechanism in position for twisting the ends of the tying wire together;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking means of the twisting mechanism together with the releasing means therefor when the twisting mechanism is positioned as shown in Figure 9;

Figure ll is a sectional view taken on line )Ci-XI ci Figure l0;

Figure l2 is a side elevational view of one of the tying units showing the tying wire cutting or shearing means, arranged therewith in its normal position;

FigurelB is a-view similar to Figure 12 showing the tying wire cutting or shearing means in another or its cutting position; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a completed bundle of pipe or other tubular articles showing the tying wires disposed therearound as applied by our improved bundling machine,

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved bundling machine of our invention comprises a longitudinally extending rotatable shaft 2 which is connected, intermediate the length thereof, preferably, to a gear reduction unit 3 which, in turn, is connected to a motor l. The energization of the motor l is controlled, preferably, by means of a limit switch 2* which, in turn, is controlled by the rotation of the shaft 2 through the action of the gears 2 and 2'. There is arranged along the shaft 2, a plurality of spaced apart wrapping and tying units l, namely. four in the present instance, for applylng a plurality of spaced apart tying Wires mund the tubular articles to be wrapped throughout the length thereof.

Each of the wrapping and tying umts Iconsists, preferably, of a substantially U-shaped rotor or rotatable head 2 having a gear 1 arranged therewith with a segmental portion removed therefrom as at 1 so as to provide an opening therein through which the tubular articles to be wrapped are positioned within the same and the U-shaped portion of the head. as more clearly shown in Figures 3, 4. and 5 of the drawings. To either side of and below the gear 1, and which meshes therewith, there is positioned a pinion gear 2, both of which mesh with a gear 2 securely arranged on the shaft 2. The rotatable head 2 together with the gears 2 are mounted on a frame or base I2 of each of the units t and the shaft 2 is iournaled at spaced intervals in each of the bases Il, as at Illa. The shaft 2 through. gear 2 drives the gears 2 which, in turn, drive the head 2 of each of the units through the action of the gear 1 arranged therewith. The two gears 2 which mesh with the segmental cr interrupted gear 1, preferably, are placed astride a line through the center of the heads 8 so that the gear 1 meshes with either one or the other of the gears 2, whereby a driving action will be maintained at all times between the shaft 2 and the head 2 no matter what position the segmental gear 1 assumes.

There is arranged integral with the rotatable head 2 of each of the units 2, an outwardly extending arm-like piate member I2 which carries the tying wire twisting mechanism, as more clearly shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9 oi the drawings. Plate member I2 has a diagonally disposed corner portion I2, as shown in Figures 6, 12 and 13, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The twisting mechanism consists preferably of a worm wheel I5 arranged on the outer side of the plate member |2 and which extends into the face thereof, and has a journal portion I2 integrally arranged therewith by which it is Journaled in a hole through the plate member. n the inner side of the journal portion I2 of the worm wheel I5, there is suitably attached thereto a circular plate-like mem ber or cap Il. There is also mounted on the outer side of the plate member I2, a stud shaft IB which is journaled thereon 'by means of bearing portions I2 carried by the plate-like member. The shaft IB extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the worm wheel I and there is arranged thereon, a gear I1 and a worm i2 which meshes with the worm wheel IE. There is arranged through the worm wheel I5 and the plate or cap I4 attached thereto, a hole I9 which is preferably flared as at 20 at the outer side of the plate or cap I4 and is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the worm wheel Il and offset therefrom. In the periphery o! both the cap or plate Il and the worm wheel I 5 between two of the teeth thereof, diametrically opposite from the hole I2 therethrough, there is arranged a groove 2| preferably having flared side walls and which extends substantially parallel to the axis of the worm wheel I5 and terminates at a point in the worm wheel and cap substantially the same distance from the axis thereof as the hole I 2 is positioned therefrom. A similar groove senese 2|isdisposedintheoutersideoftheplatemember |2.

To one side of the shaft 2 and substantially parallel thereto, there is arranged a longitudinally extending rotatable shaft 22 which extends through and is suitably journaled in the base I2 of each of the wrapping and tying units 2. The shaft 22 intermediate the length thereof is connected preferably to a gear reduction unit 22 which, in turn, is connected to a motor 2l. The energization of the motor 24 is controlled preferably by means of a limit switch 22 which, in turn, is controlled by the rotation of the shaft 22 through the action of the gears 22 and 21. On the shaft 22 directly opposite the gear |1 of the twisting mechanism of each of the units 2. there is mounted a gear 22. 'Ihere is disposed to one side of the gear 22, and mounted for limited rocking movement on the shaft 22, an arm 22 having a gear 22 rotatably Journaled in the upper end thereof which meshes with the gear 22. The lower or opposite end of the rocking arm 22 is preferably bifurcated as at 22n and straddles a pin 2| carried by a plunger or tension rod 22 of a solenoid 22. The solenoid 22 is controlled preferably by means of a suitable limit vswitch (not shown) preferably arranged on the rotatable head drive. 'I'he solenoid 22 is mounted preferably on a bracket 26 attached to the base ill, and the inner end'of the tension rod 22 extends through the side wall or flange portion of the base, and there is arranged on this end of the tension rod on the inner side of the flange. preferably, a coil spring 21 and adjusting nuts 22. The gear 22 carried by the rocking arm 22 is adapted to mesh with the gear I1 of the twisting mechanism when the same assumes one position, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. in a manner hereinafter to be described.

As more clearly shown in Figures 10 and l1 of the drawings, on the shaft I2 to one side oi' the gear I1 carried thereby in the twisting mechanism of each of the units. there is arranged preferably a circumferential flange or collar portion III. Around this ilange portion III, there is disposed a split or two piece collar |22 with one side of the halves thereof pivotally attached to the inner bearing portion I2* preferably by means of a screw or pin |22. There is arranged through aligned holes in the opposite ends of the halves of the split or two piece collar |22, a bolt |24 having a coil spring |22 arranged therearound hetween the nut |22 thereof and one of the ends of the halves. The inner sides of each of the halves of the collar are preferably beveled as at |22* so as to provide a tapered opening |22 between the ends thereof. It is the purpose of the coil spring |22 to force the two halves of the collar together so as to hold the two halves frictionally around and in engagement wtih the side portions and the periphery of the flange IIII, so as to prevent the shaft I2 together with the worm wheel I2 from accidentally turning when not functioning mechanically. On the inner side of the arm 22, at a point directly opposite the split collar |02, there is mounted an idler stud shaft |21 on which the gear 22 is mounted. There is arranged diametrieally through a portion of the arm and the idler shaft |21. a pin |22 which preferably has -a rounded end or nose as at |22. At the opposite end of the pin |22 there is arranged in a portion oi' the arm 22, preferably a lock set screw |I2 for adjusting the position of the pin therein. The nose |02 of pin |22 cooperates with the tapered opening |22h formed by the opposed beveled faces assauts |62* of the split collar |82 for a purpose and in a manner to be described.

Directly opposite the hole I8 in the worm wheel l5, and to one side of and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotatable head 6 of each of the wrapping and tying units 8, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, there is arranged a telescopical tube 88 for guiding the tying wire from the source of supply to the wrapping and twisting mechanism. The tube 38 is carried by the upwardly extending arms I8 of a supporting member or base 4i. There is arranged on the inner end of the tube, preferably an enlarged conical-shaped nozzle-like portion 42 which is adapted tc cooperate with the flared portion 28 of the hole I8 in the cap or plate I4 of the twisting mechanism, in a manner to be described. To one side of both of the shafts 2 and 22, and substantially parallel thereto, there is arranged another longitudinally extending shaft 48 which is adapted to be oscillated by means oi' a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 44 arranged intermediate the length thereof through the linkage 45. At each of the wrapping and tying units 6, directly below the tube guide 39 thereof. there is securely arranged on the shaft 43, an upwardly extending crank 46 having the upper end thereof pivotally connected to a link 41, as at 48. The opposite end of the link 41 is pivotally connected, as at 49, to a bracket 58 which is secured to the tube 38. There is arranged on the supporting member 4i, preferably to one side of the bell crank 46, a limit switch l for controlling the actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 44.

Adjacent the outer end of the tube 38 of each of the wrapping and, tying units 5, as shown in Figures l and 3 of the drawings, there is mounted on a base or supporting member 52, preferably a pair of opposed rubber friction pinch rollers 53 which are adapted to feed the .tying wires from the coil or source of supply into and through the tube 38 and into the rotatable head 6 and the twisting mechanism arranged therewith. There is arranged to one side of the shafts 2, 22 and 48, and substantially parallel thereto, another longitudinally extending rotatable shaft 54, which is connected intermediate the length thereof, to a gear reduction unit 55 which, in turn, is connected preferably to a reversible motor 56. The energization of the motor 56 is controlled, preferably by means of a limit switch 51 which, in turn, is controlled by the rotation of shaft 54 through the action of the gears 58 and 59. One of the pinch rolls, of each of the pair of the pinch rollers 53. of each of the wrapping and tying units, is securely mounted on the shaft 54 which is adapted to drive the rollers upon rotation thereof. The opposite roller of each of the pair of rollers, is frictionally driven by the driving roll, and is maintained in contact therewith preferably by means of coil springs 6I disposed around each of the stud bolts 68. There is carried by the base 62 on the outer side thereof, an outwardly extending portion 62 having a journal portion 68 in which there is rotatably disposed, preferably a flanged bobbin or drum 64 on which the coil of tying wire W is positioned. The rotation of the drum or bobbin 64 is retarded preferably by means of a spring actuated friction device 64*l positioned on the portion 62 to either sidey of the drum.

At a point below the shaft 2, and substantially parallel thereto, there is arranged a longitudinally extending reciprocable bar-like member 65 which extends between and through the bases i8 parallel to the shaft of each of the wrapping and tying units 5 and is supported by a bearing member 66 carried thereby. There is siidably mounted on the barlike member 65 to one side of each of the tying and wrapping units 5, as more clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13, an upwardly extending bracket member 61 having a shear or knife member 66 securely arranged thereon adjacent the top thereof. There is also arranged on the bracket 61 below the shear or knife 68, a movable shear or knife member 68 having one end thereof pivotally attached to the bracket. as at 10, and which is adapted to cooperate with the opposed shear or knife 68 to eut or sever the tying wire in a manner to be described. The lower end of the shear or knife member 69 is pivotally attached as at 1I to one end of an adjustable link 12. The opposite end of the link 12 is pivotaliy attached to a pair of links 18. as at 14. One of the links 12 is pivotally attached to the slidable bracket member 81, as at 15, with the other link 13 pivotally attached, as at 16, to a bracket member 11 securely mounted 'on the bar-like member 65 so as to provide a toggle arrangement. There is arranged between the two bracket members 61 and 11, a stud member 18 around which there is disposed a coil spring 18 for the purpose of maintaining the two bracket members in spaced relation relative to each other. On the bottom side of each of the brackets 61 and 11, at a point below the bar-like member 65, there are arranged preferably lug portions 88 and 8l, respectively, which are adapted to cooperate with each other for a purpose to be described. At some point along the bar-like member 65, there is arranged preferably a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 82 which is adapted to reciprocate the bar-like member 65. The piston rod 83 of the pneumatic cylinder 82, is preferably attached to a bracket member 84 which, in turn, is suitably connected to the barlike member 55. Also at some point along the bar-like member 65, there is arranged preferably a limit switch 85 for controlling the actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 82. There is mounted on the bar-like member 65, a switch actuating member 86, which is adapted to cooperate with the limit switch 85 when the bar-like member 65 is moved so that the actuating member is caused to strike the limit switch` Between each of the Wrapping and tying units 5, and to one side of the axial center of the heads 6 thereof, as shown in Figures l, 3, and 4, there is arranged preferably an inclined rail 81 which extends from a point adjacent the axial center line of the heads and substantially perpendicular thereto to a point out beyond the mechanism of each of the units. The top surface of each of the rails 81 is positioned above the mechanism of each of the wrapping and tying units 5, and the rails are provided for the purpose of rolling the pipe or other tubular articles from the source of supply and down into the heads 6 of the wrapping and tying units 5.

On the other side of the axial center line through the rotatable heads 6, directly opposite from the inner ends of the rails 81, there is arranged a plurality of spaced apart substantially U-shaped members 88 for receiving the bundle of pipe or tubular articles after the wrapping and twisting operations. In the upper end of the inner leg portion of each of the U-shaped members 88, there is suitably journaled a longitudinally extending shaft 89 which is disposed substantially 2. Adjacent each of the U- shaped members 88, there is securely arranged on the shaft 89, an ann-like member 90 preferably having the outer end thereof bent upwardly or hooked. as at 9|. 'I'here is arranged at some point along the shaft I9, preferably a pneumatic cylinder 92 for actuating the shaft with the plston rod 93 of the cylinder preferably attached to a crank member 94 carried by the shaft B9.

The improved bundling machine of our invention operates in the following manner. A coil of wire W is positioned on the bobbin M of the supporting member B2 in each of the wrapping and tying units l, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, and the wire is fed through the tubular guide 95, between the rubber friction rolls 53 and into and through the telescoping tubular guide member I9. The telescopical tubes 39 are then moved forwardly by means of the shaft il and pneumatic cylinder M, through the action i' the crank 46 and the connecting link l1 of each of the units so that the conical-shaped nozzlelike portion I2 on the inner end of each of the tubular guide members 39 is positioned in the recess 2li of the hole I9 in the cap Il oi' the respec tive twisting mechanisms of each of the units from the position, as shown in Figure 8. The shaft 54 is then set in motion and rotated by the means of the gear reducer 55 and motor E8. Upon rotation of the shaft M, it will be seen that the friction feed rollers 53 of each of the units are rotated, and that the wire is drawn from the coil on the bobbin B4 and fed through the tube 39 and into and through the hole I9 oi' the twisting mechanism. The friction rolls 53 rotate until a length of wire is fed to the head and through the twisting mechanism of each of the units, of sumcient length, to wrap the number of pipes or tubular articles to be bundled. The length of wire fed to the rotatable heads 8 is controlled by means of the limit switch 51 through the action of the gears ll and 59. In other words, after the proper length of the wire has been fed to each of the units for a single wrapping operation, the limit switch I1 deenergizes the motor l5 thereby arresting the rotation of the shaft M and the feed rollers il arranged therewith. The guide tube 39 is then moved to its original or retracted position. as shown in Figures l and 8, by the pneumatic cylinder u.

'Ihe machine is now ready for actually wrapping and tying the pipes or tubular articles. It is preferable that a single loop of wire, of each or the tie wires, be wrapped around a single pipe or tubular article so as to prevent the tie wires from slipping along the pipes after the same are bundled. To provide such a single Wrapping around a pipe with the machine of the present invention, a single pipe is rolled over the rails Il and positioned in the substantially U-shaped supporting member or saddle 98 arranged adjacent the rotatable head l of each of the units E. T'he shaft 2 is then rotated by means of the gear reducer unit l and the motor 4, and such rotation of the shaft rotates the head 8 of each of the units through the action of the gears 1, B, and 9. It will be seen that when the single pipe is positioned in the units, it rests upon the tying wire W extending transversely across the axial center of the heads B, and upon rotation of the heads, the wire is wrapped around the single pipe. Due to the inclined portion l2a on the plate I2, the wire extending from the guide 39 will be deected, permititng the heads 6 to rotate without interference therefrom. After the heads 6 have made one revolution and a single wrap or loop has been made around the single pipe positioned in the units. the shaft 2 is arrested from rotation and the remaining pipes or tubular articles adapted to make up a bundle are then rolled over the rails 81 and positioned in the saddle members 9B and the rotatable heads l, on top of the single pipe and tying wire positioned therein. 'I'he shaft erably one and one-half revolutions and assumes the position as shown in Figure 9 of the draw- The rotation of the shaft 2, and the rotatable heads or rotors 6, is controlled by the limit switch 2n through the action of the gears 2b and 2. In other words. when the rotatable heads 9 complete one and one-half revolutions, the limit switch 2 deenergizes the motor l so that the shaft 2 and each of the rotatable heads 8 are arrested from further rotative movement. The

oi each of the tioned, the arm 29 is made to pivotal connection on the shaft the solenoid 33, through the action units is so posirotate about its 22 by means of of the tension sion rod. Upon such movement of the arm 29, it will be seen that the gear I0 carried thereby will another. In order to provide such synchronization, it is necessary that the gears l1 and 30 of each of the position in each of the twisting mechanisms. In other words, these gears should always engage at the same and 30 are disen- When the arm 29 which carries the pin |08 is actuated by the solenoid and the worm wheel II to rotate by the action of the gears Il and 30.

The worm Il is then rotated to turn the worm wheel il degrees to bring the groove 2| therein and the groove 2| in the plate I2 into coincidence. The twisting mechanism of each of the units is now in position for the twisting operation. The portion of the wire leading to the coil or bobbin l, or source oi' supply, at a point immediately beyond the outer end of the conical-shaped nozzle-like portion I2 of the tube 30, due to tension thereon will then fall into the grooves 2| and 2|* arranged in the periphery qf the worm wheel II and the cap or plate Il carried thereby and the plate I2. It will be seen now that the free end of the wire, positioned in the hole Il which is oiTset from the axial center of the worm wheel I0 and the other portion of the wire leading to the coil and positioned in the groove 2|, are positioned directly opposite each other ready for the twisting operation. The shaft 22 is then set in motion and rotated by means of the gear reduction unit 23 and the motor 24. As the shaft 22 rotates, it will be seen that the worm wheel I0 together with the cap I4 of the twisting mechanism is also rotated due to the ac tion of the worm I8 on the stud shaft I8, and the gears I'I, 30, and 20. As the worm wheel IS is rotated, it will be seen that the free end of the tying wire, and that portion of the wire leading to the coil 64, both of which are positioned in the worm wheel I5 due to the rotation thereof. are twisted together to one side of the bundle so that the length of the wire disposed around the pipe, or tubular articles, is securely tied in position thereon. The rotation of the shaft 22 is controlled by the limit switch 25, through the action of the gears 20 and 21. In other words, after the worm wheel I5 in each of the units has been rotated 'a predetermined number of times so as to apply the desired amount of twist to the twisted portions of the tie wires, the limit switch 25 deenergizes the motor 24 so that the shaft 22 and the worm wheel I5, are arrested from further rotative movement. The solenoid 33 is then deenergized, and the arm 20 is moved about its pivotal connection by means of the loaded coil spring ill. Upon such movement of this arm, it will be seen that the gear 00 carried thereby is moved out of mesh with the gear I1 of the twisting mechanism in each of the units, and that the pin I 08 is moved from position between the beveled faces |02, of the split collar |02, as shown in the full lines of Figure l0. 'I'he two halves of the split collar are then forced together around the flanges IIII of the shaft I6 by the action of the spring |05 thereby locking again the shaft i6 against rotative movement.

After the wires have been twisted together to one side of the tubular articles, it is necessary to cut that portion of the wire disposed around the bundle from the source of supply or coil of wire on the bobbin il, and the operation of the means for cutting each oi' the wires will now be described. The bar-like member 65 is moved to the left, from its initial position as shown in Figure l2 of the drawings, by means of the pneumatic cylinder 02 so that both bracket members 01 andF 11, together with the knives or shears 08 and 00, of the respective units will be moved toward the outer end of the twisted portion of the wire of each of the units. Upon such movement of the bar-like member 60, as shown in Figure i3, the upper shear or knife 60 'of each of the units will pass over the top of the wire therein, and as the bracket member 01 approaches the base Il of the respective units, the lug l0 will strike the base and prevent further movement oi' this bracket. However, the bar-like member is still permitted to move due to the fact that the bracket member B1 is slidably arranged thereon, and upon such continued movement, the bracket member 11 which is securely fixed to the bar-like member B5 will move toward the bracket 81 until the lug portion 0I carried thereby, strikes the lug 00 of the bracket 01. Upon this additional movement of the bar-like member, together with the bracket member 'I1 carried thereby, it will be seen that the lower knife or shear 60 of each of the units will be moved around its pivotal connection In so that the knife 60 is moved upwardly to the bottom side of the wire and toward the upper knife or shear 88, with which it cooperates to cut the wire` It will be understood that the shear or knife 09 is moved in such a manner due to the action of the link "I2, and the toggle arrangement of the links 13. As the bar-like member 85 moves along, it will be seen that the upwardly extending switch actuating member 8B carried thereby, will be moved in contact with the limit switch Bi, so as to actuate the same which in turn actuates the pneumatic cylinder B2 so as to prevent any further movement of the bar-like member, together with the shearing members carried thereby to the left, as shown in Figure i3 of the drawings. After the tying wires have been severed at the twisted portion, the bar-like member 05 is moved to the right to its initial or retracted position as shown in Figure l2, by means of the pneumatic cylinder 02, and in such movement the brackets 61 and 'I'I are moved away from each other due to the action oi the coil spring 10 positioned therebetween. Upon such movement, it will be seen that the lower knife or shear 09 will be moved downwardly to its retracted or normal position, at a spaced distance from the knife 68 ready for the next shearing or cutting operation.

The motor Iii is then set in motion so as to drive the shaft 64 in a reverse direction from that in which it is driven for the feeding operation. Upon such reverse rotatable movement of the shaft 64, the friction rolls B3 will likewise be driven in a. reverse direction from that for feeding the wire, and the rolls I3 are run for a sufficient length of time to withdraw that portion of the wire of each of the units extending beyond the end of the tube $9 and in the rotative path of the rotatable heads 0 into the tube. The shaft 2 is then set in motion so that it will rotate each of the heads B one-half a revolution or 180 degrees, so that the wrapped tubular articles or bundle can be removed from the machine. In other words, each of the rotatable heads G is rotated so that the twisting mechanism is on the outer side thereof, or at the position it assumes at the time of the beginning of the wrapping operation, es shown in Figures 5 and 8 of the draw- The bundle of tubular articles is then ready to be removed from its position in the machine. The shaft B0 is then oscillated by means of the cylinder 92, and the arm-like members carried by this shaft and which are positioned below the tubular articles throughout the wrapping and twisting operations, are moved upwardly, as shown in the broken lines of Figure 4, and upon such movement it will be seen that they strike the bottom side of the bundle and lift it from its position in the supporting members or saddles 00. When the arm-like members have been moved to a position above the saddle or sup porting members, and the bundle of tubular articles has been removed from position in the machine, it will be seen that they roll downwardly over the arm-like members 9|) and are delivered into the U-shaped supporting members 88 ready for shipment. It will be seen that the tubular articles are completely bundled and have a tying wire securely arranged therearound at a point adjacent each end thereof.` and at two points intermediate the length thereof, as shown in Figure 14 of the drawings.

As a result of our invention, it will be seen that there is provided a wrapping and twisting machine for applying a plurality of tying wires simultaneously around the pipes or tubular articles to be wrapped. It will be understood that operations of wrapping of each of the tying wires around the tubular articles, the twisting of the ends of the respective ends of the tying wires together, and the shearing of the wrapped portion of the tying wires from the source of supply or coil, are all done simultaneously in each of the units. It will also be understood, that the limit switches 2*, 25, and 51 are set beforehand by the operator, so that the sumcient length of tying wire is fed into each of the rotatable heads 6, in order that a suillcient number of passes of the tying wire are made around the tubular articles, and so that the proper amount of twisting action is applied to the ends of the tying wires when they are twisted together.

While we have shown and described one specific embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is mereLv for the purpose of illustration and description and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of our invention, as donned in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like simultaneously at `spaced apart intervals throughout the length thereof so as to bundle the same comprising a plurality of spaced apart tying units. each of said units including means for supplying and feeding wire thereto. means for holding the tubular articles to be bundled, rotating means for wrapping the wire a plurality of turns around the tubular articles, and means for twisting together the end of the wire and that portion of wire leading to the SOllrCe f Supply at one side of the tubular articles after the wrapping thereof.

2` Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like, as defined in claim 1, including means for severing that portion of the wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion leading to the source of Supply.

3. Apparatus for typing wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like simultaneously at spaced apart intervals throughout the length thereof so as to bundle the same comprising a plurality of spaced apart tying units, each of said units including means for holding the tubular articles to be bundled so that they extend between said units. means for rotatably supporting a coil of tying wire, a rotatable wrapping head, means for feeding intermittently from the coil of wire to said head a portion of wire of suiilcient length to wrap the tubular articles together, said rotatable head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the wire around the tubular articles a plurality of turns, means carried by said head for twisting the free end of the tying wire with that portion of the wire leading to the coil so that the tubular articles are securely bundled together, 15

and means for severing that portion of the tying wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion leading to the coil at a point on the outer side of the twisted portion.

4. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like, as defined in claim 3, including means for removing the bundled tubular articles-from position in the units after the wrapping and twisting operations.

'5. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like, as defined in claim 3, wherein the means carried by the head for twisting the free end of the tying wire with that portion of the wire leading to the coil consists of a rotatable member having a hole arranged therethrough substantially parallel to the axis thereof into and through which the free end and the proper length of tying wire is fed and extends with said hole being offset from the axial center of said rotatable member, said rotatable member adapted to rotate on an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said head and tubular articles and having a slot arranged in the periphery thereof diametrically opposite said hole in which that portion of wire leading to the coll is positioned for the twisting operation after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles, and means for rotating said rotatable member.

6. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like. as defined in claim 3, including a telescopically arranged tubular y member through which the wire passes for guiding the same to the head.

7. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like, as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for feeding intermittently from the coil of wire to the head a portion of tying wire of sufficient length to wrap the tubular articles together consists of a pair of opposed friction rollers.

8. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like simultaneously at spaced apart intervals throughout the length thereof so as to bundle the same, comprising a longitudinally extending rotatable shaft, means for driving said shaft. a plurality of spaced apart rotatable wrapping heads arranged along said shaft throughout the length thereof, a plurality of means arranged along said shaft for supporting the tubular articles to be bundled. means arranged between said shaft and each of said rotatable heads for rotating simultaneously each of said heads around the tubular articles, means for feeding from a source of supply simultaneously tying wire to each of said heads. each of said heads upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the tying wire fed respectively thereto around the tubular articles a plurality of turns, and means for twisting together simultaneously the free end of each of the tying wires and the portion of the wire leading to the source of supply at each of said heads after the same have been wrapped around the tubular articles.

9. Apparatus for tying wire around a plurality of tubular articles or the like, as defined in claim 8. including means for severing simultaneously that portion of each of the tying wires wrapped around the tubular articles on the outer side of the twisted portions from that portion leading to the source of supply of the tying wire.

l0. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped, a wrapping head which is adapted to rotate around the ...mathe tubular articles.

tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire from a source oi' supply to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the wire around the tubular articles, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion of the wire leading to the source of supply after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles.

11. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped, a wrapping head which is adapted to rotate around means for feeding a tying wire from a source of supply to said head, said bead upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the wire around the tubular articles, means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion of the wire leading to the source of supply after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles, and means for severing that portion of the tying wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion oi' the wire leading to the source of supply lat a point on the other side oi' th'e twisted portion.

12, In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped, a wrapping head mounted for rotation around the tubular articles, means for rotatably supporting a coil of tying wire, means for feeding intermit tently a suiiicient length of the tying wire from said coil to said head to wrap the tubular articles, means carried by said head for receiving and holding th'e amount of tying wire fed thereto, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap that portion oi' the wire fed thereto around the tubular articles, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion leading to the coil of wire.

13. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped. a wrapping head mounted for rotation around the tubular articles, means lor rotatably supporting a coil of tying wire, means for feeding intermittently a sufficient length oi the tying wire from said coil to said head, means carried by said head for receiving and holding the amount of tying wire i'ed thereto, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap that portion oi' the wire fed thereto around the tubular articles, means carried by said head for twisting together the free end oi the tying wire and that portion leading to the coil of wire, and means i'or severing that portion of the wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion of the wire leading to the coil at a point beyond the twisted portion.

14. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, a rotatable substantially U-shaped head, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped so that the same are disposed between the leg portions of the U- shaped head, means for rotating said head around the tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the tying wire around the tubular articles disposed therein, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion oi the tying wire leading to the source of supply.

l5. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, a rotatable substantially U-shaped head means Ior supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped so that the same are disposed between the leg portions oi' said U-shaped head, means ior rotating said head around the tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the tying wire around the tubular articles disposed therein, a rotatable member carried by said head having a hole arranged therethrough' substantially parallel to the axis thereof for receiving the tying wire with the hole being oilset from the axial center thereof, said rotatable member adapted to rotate about an axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis 0f rotation of said hea'd and the tubular articles, means for rotating said rotatable member, said rotatable member having a groove arranged in the periphery thereof diametrically opposits said hole therein, one of the ends of said tying wire adapted to be positioned in said hole whereby the wire is wrapped around the tubular articles upon rotation oi' said head and the other end positioned in said groove after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles, with the end of the wire and that portion of the wire leading to the `source of supply adapted to be twisted together to one side oi' the bundle upon rotation o! said rotatable member after the tubular articles have been wrapped.

mvmon. ummm. wmmm n Y.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No "2 ,587 658- octoser 25, 1915.

RVING B. GRUBER, ET AL.

Letters Patent should be read with this correcti may conform to the record of the cas Signed and s ealed (Seal) appears in the printed specification correction as follows: Page 7, first read--outerf--g and that the said on therein that the same e in the Patent Office.

this iZth day of' February,

First Assistant Commi Leslie Frazer s sioner of Patents ...mathe tubular articles.

tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire from a source oi' supply to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the wire around the tubular articles, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion of the wire leading to the source of supply after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles.

11. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped, a wrapping head which is adapted to rotate around means for feeding a tying wire from a source of supply to said head, said bead upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the wire around the tubular articles, means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion of the wire leading to the source of supply after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles, and means for severing that portion of the tying wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion oi' the wire leading to the source of supply lat a point on the other side oi' th'e twisted portion.

12, In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped, a wrapping head mounted for rotation around the tubular articles, means for rotatably supporting a coil of tying wire, means for feeding intermit tently a suiiicient length of the tying wire from said coil to said head to wrap the tubular articles, means carried by said head for receiving and holding th'e amount of tying wire fed thereto, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap that portion oi' the wire fed thereto around the tubular articles, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion leading to the coil of wire.

13. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped. a wrapping head mounted for rotation around the tubular articles, means lor rotatably supporting a coil of tying wire, means for feeding intermittently a sufficient length oi the tying wire from said coil to said head, means carried by said head for receiving and holding the amount of tying wire i'ed thereto, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap that portion oi' the wire fed thereto around the tubular articles, means carried by said head for twisting together the free end oi the tying wire and that portion leading to the coil of wire, and means i'or severing that portion of the wire wrapped around the tubular articles from that portion of the wire leading to the coil at a point beyond the twisted portion.

14. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, a rotatable substantially U-shaped head, means for supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped so that the same are disposed between the leg portions of the U- shaped head, means for rotating said head around the tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the tying wire around the tubular articles disposed therein, and means carried by said head for twisting together the free end of the tying wire and that portion oi the tying wire leading to the source of supply.

l5. In a wrapping and tying machine for bundling tubular articles or the like, a rotatable substantially U-shaped head means Ior supporting the tubular articles to be wrapped so that the same are disposed between the leg portions oi' said U-shaped head, means ior rotating said head around the tubular articles, means for feeding a tying wire to said head, said head upon rotation thereof adapted to wrap the tying wire around the tubular articles disposed therein, a rotatable member carried by said head having a hole arranged therethrough' substantially parallel to the axis thereof for receiving the tying wire with the hole being oilset from the axial center thereof, said rotatable member adapted to rotate about an axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis 0f rotation of said hea'd and the tubular articles, means for rotating said rotatable member, said rotatable member having a groove arranged in the periphery thereof diametrically opposits said hole therein, one of the ends of said tying wire adapted to be positioned in said hole whereby the wire is wrapped around the tubular articles upon rotation oi' said head and the other end positioned in said groove after the tying wire has been wrapped around the tubular articles, with the end of the wire and that portion of the wire leading to the `source of supply adapted to be twisted together to one side oi' the bundle upon rotation o! said rotatable member after the tubular articles have been wrapped.

mvmon. ummm. wmmm n Y.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No "2 ,587 658- octoser 25, 1915.

RVING B. GRUBER, ET AL.

Letters Patent should be read with this correcti may conform to the record of the cas Signed and s ealed (Seal) appears in the printed specification correction as follows: Page 7, first read--outerf--g and that the said on therein that the same e in the Patent Office.

this iZth day of' February,

First Assistant Commi Leslie Frazer s sioner of Patents 

